A Case of Cerulean Cataract
Abstract:
Cerulean Cataracts are a form of congenital cataracts that are characterized by diffuse blue dotted opacifications across the nucleus and cortex of the lens. They Cerulean cataracts are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. At least four loci for the cerulean cataract phenotype have been mapped – congenital cataract-1 (CCA1; 17q24), CCA2 (22q11.2-q12.2), CCA3 (2q33-q35), and CC4 (16q22-q23). Multiple causative mutations have been identified, including mutations in the beta-B2-crystallin gene (CRYBB2), gamma-D-crystallin gene (CRYGD), V-MAF avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog gene (MAF), and the major intrinsic protein of lens fiber gene (MIP). Patients with cerulean cataracts usually have preserved visual acuity and rarely need cataract extraction before adult age. Because many newborns are asymptomatic until 18-24 months of age, cerulean cataracts are considered to be a form of developmental cataract rather than a true congenital cataract. Progression of cerulean cataracts is slow and may not become significant until the third or fourth decade of life, when patients begin to notice a gradual decrease in vision in both eyes. However, children who develop signs of visually significant cataracts such as nystagmus and amblyopia may require cataract surgery earlier. This case report is about a woman who was referred to ophthalmologist as she had changes in retina. She is Georgian and getting diagnosed with cerulean cataract in this country is very rare thus making this patient very important for this geographical region. She has no history of allergy, she has been prescribed reading glasses (+2.5).
